Air Italy unveiled its long awaited first Boeing 737 Max in striking new livery at the Boeing Everett Delivery Centre in Seattle, in front of a crowd of VIP dignitaries and guests, including HH Prince Rahim Aga Khan, alongside international media. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker was there to personally witness the event. Qatar Airways previously strengthened its commitment to Air Italy with the acquisition of 49% of AQA Holding, the new parent company of Air Italy, while the previous sole shareholder Alisarda kept 51%.

QR_Launch of Air Italy LiveryThe aircraft, the first of approximately 50 new aircraft to be added to the Air Italy fleet by 2022, is the first of 20 brand new Boeing 737 Max aircraft that will join the airline over the next three years.

Al Baker said that the unveiling has yet marked another landmark event.

To see the aircraft here for the first time, it truly brings to life the next exciting chapter for Italy’s future carrier of choice, providing the people of Italy with the sophisticated travel experience they deserve.’

Alisarda Chairman Marco Rigotti said that the first Boeing B737 Max will offer their customers a journey in true Italian style.

While seated in this comfortable and stylish aircraft, flying from Milan onwards to our domestic network of popular destinations, we want our passengers to feel and see the beauty of Italy, and the warm welcome they will receive upon landing.’

Air Italy Chairman Francesco Violante extended his thanks to Boeing and to everyone involved in the production of their very first Boeing 737 Max in the Air Italy livery. He said that since they first announced the striking new design in Milan in February this year, there has been much anticipation for this moment.

We look forward to taking to the skies and bringing this aircraft to Italy for the first time.’

Boeing 737 Max

The new Boeing 737 Max aircraft features modern and spacious cabins, superior operating economics and greater fuel efficiency. The aircraft will also feature Business Class cabins and will replace Air Italy’s existing Boeing 737NGs. Air Italy will also receive five Airbus A330-200 aircraft this year from the Qatar Airways’ fleet, prior to these being further replaced by Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.

Network destinations will also enjoy continued expansion, with new long-range routes from Milan to New York, Miami, Bangkok and Mumbai. Air Italy this month also inaugurated short-haul routes connecting Milan to Rome, Naples, Palermo and Olbia. Additional routes from Milan to the Sicilian east coast city of Catania and Lamezia Terme in Calabria will commence on 1 July and 1 September, respectively. Further plans also include strengthening the short-range network to improve connectivity and launching the first long-range destination from Rome Fiumicino in 2019. Air Italy aims to fly more than 50 year-round routes by 2022.